A customer saw this sign at Hal’s Hardware Store:

Welcome to Hal’s Hardware Store
DON’T SHOPLIFT
because GOD WILL SEE YOU
(and Hal might)

Hal’s sign gives us a lot to think about. We love our freedom and our privacy. But to secure these, somewhere, somehow someone needs to be watching. “Yikes!”, right? But is being watched always a bad thing? Give this song a sing-along listen, then let’s ponder lessons Hal might teach us.

Hal — and John Adams — make us think

DON’T SHOPLIFT. We’d like to think that should go without saying, but notice God did not assume that. God said, “Don’t steal”. God expects us to govern our own behavior according to His commands. It appears Hal knows that’s how God intended things to work. Now, just in case a customer is thinking about not governing his own behavior, Hal reminds folks that God is watching. And — just in case that is not enough to make his customers do the right thing — he offers a second reason that should get them doing right. Hal might see them. Implied message, “Don’t risk it. Consequences would follow — sooner or later.”

Hal’s sign helps us understand John Adams, speaking on how our government was to work under the U. S. Constitution. Adams warned:

“We have no government armed in power capable of contending in human passions unbridled by morality and religion … Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious People. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

All men are ruled — either from the inside or the outside. Through history most people have been ruled from the outside, often through harsh oppression. The remarkable freedoms we enjoy depend on enough citizens being ruled from within — “self-governed” — actually better described as “God-governed”. That’s how Hal approaches his shop, and that’s how the founding fathers approached our government.

Notice both Hal and our Constitution prefer we “be ruled from the inside”. THEN comes the warning that if we will not be ruled from the inside, we will be ruled from the outside. In one case, you might deal with Hal. In the other, you might deal with oppression. History is full of examples.

When we understand what is at stake, we gain energy to preserve our freedom by obeying God.

Ye are of more value

Hal is not in the hardware business so he can catch people trying to do him wrong. But if he did not pay attention, his business would fail. How much more our loving Lord? Our song celebrates the truth Jesus (and Ben Franklin) taught — a sparrow can’t fall to the ground without God noticing. And we are of more value than a sparrow. Not because of our works, good looks or brains, but because GOD values us. God cares for us. God loves us. God is ever present to guide and protect us. Watching sparrows and watching us is His choice, acts of His grace and mercy. The Lord’s help and counsel is an immeasurable blessing.

So … let’s enjoy the blessing! Let’s bless God right back by welcoming Him into our lives in everything we think and do.

Practice the presence of God

Hal got it. John Adams got it. We can get it, too. An important key to living with power, love, and a sound mind is to live “practicing the presence of God.” Our song this week is a delightful reminder of this truth — that the Lord is ever mindful, watching over each of us, which He is able and willing to do, even as His eye is on the sparrow.

God bless you lots!
-Dale R.

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LYRICS: His Eye Is On The Sparrow
Text: Civilla D. Martin 1905
Tune: Charles H. Gabriel 1864

1. Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come?
Why should my heart be lonely? And long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

Chorus:
I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

2. “Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth but one step I may see:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

3. Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When song gives place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him; from care He sets me free:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:29-31)

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To sweeten the deal, you will also get instant access to the “Music Box” where I put all the free resources and downloads that go along with these song pages. Check it out now! Good stuff. (Side note — I still post announcements on social media, too, even though I have learned it is terribly unreliable at getting the message out and keeping us connected. Email gets that job done where social media fails. We do well to connect this way, and avoid getting throttled by social media.)

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Song and article first posted May 17, 2019. New song video and updated article posted May 4, 2023.